Ithaca, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 210 § 210-75

A. The Director of Planning and Development shall be charged with the duty of administering the applicable housing standards and securing compliance therewith and shall be empowered to adopt rules and regulations necessary for securing such compliance, provided that such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the applicable housing standards. B. The Director of Planning and Development, his/her assistants and inspectors shall be authorized to conduct surveys of housing in any area of the municipality to determine the condition of the premises, extent of deterioration, the lack of facilities, inadequate maintenance, unsafe and unsanitary conditions, the extent of overcrowding, land use and other relevant factors. C. It shall be the duty of the Director of Planning and Development or designee: (1) To cause periodic rental housing inspections to be made at least once every five years of all rental dwelling units that are either a single-family unit or a two-family unit, at least once every three years of all rental dwellings with three or more units or rental dwelling units with five or more unrelated occupants residing with any one family and at least once a year of all student housing, dormitories, fraternities and sororities, for compliance with the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, New York State Multiple Residence Law , City of Ithaca Municipal Code and all applicable housing standards. Inspections may be made more often or of any dwelling unit at the discretion of the Director of Planning and Development or designee. (2) To cause an investigation of all complaints of alleged housing violations or other unsafe or unsanitary conditions. (3) To order, in writing, the remedying of all conditions found to exist in or on any premises in violation of provisions of the housing standards or of rules and regulations adopted by the agency, to state in the violation order a reasonable time limit for compliance therewith and, where necessary, to order the vacation of premises found unfit for human habitation. (4) To request the chief legal officer of the municipality to take appropriate legal action in the name of the agency upon failure of the responsible party to comply with such violation order within the time specified therein. (5) To cause a search of the municipality's records of housing violations existing on any premises and to issue a certified statement thereof upon receipt of written request and payment of any fees required by local law or ordinance. (6) To study housing conditions in the municipality. (7) To cooperate with other municipal, governmental and private agencies engaged in the study and improvement of housing conditions. D. Where violations of the housing standards exist and pose an immediate hazard or danger to the health, safety or welfare of building occupants or of the public, the Director of Planning and Development or designee may, without prior notice or hearing, issue an order citing the violation and directing such action by such municipal officer, department or board as is necessary to remove or abate the immediate hazard or danger. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, such order shall be effective immediately upon service and shall be complied with immediately or as otherwise provided.